“I owed you flowers.” He stuck them out like delivering the morning paper.
She took the flowers from him but made no move to invite him inside. “That’s nice, but you didn’t really have to.”
“I know.”
“Thank you, I guess.” She gave him a tentative smile.
“Can I come in?”
“Um, okay. Sure.” She moved aside and walked to the kitchen to set the flowers down. He felt gratified to see there were no others left. “I’m fine, which you would know if you’d called.”
“Thought it would be better to drop by and see for myself.”
She held her arms out to the sides. “See for yourself.”
Lord above, he did see. She wore another short dress paired with her ever-present cowgirl boots. These were red. She must have them in every color because many times they matched her dress. He’d never seen a woman look quite that sexy in boots. Usually that sort of leg porn took heels. Her blond hair fell to her shoulders in soft waves he wanted to feel running through his fingers again.
“You look good, Sadie.”
She blinked and smoothed the skirt of her dress. “That’s because I—”
“C’mere.” But he didn’t wait for her to come to him. Instead he hauled her into his arms, and slowly lowered his head to meet her lips.
She didn’t offer any resistance, her hands immediately wrapping around his neck. Her fingers threaded through his hair and he might have groaned. She felt so right flushed tight against him, all soft and enticing curves. He moved his mouth over her lips, taking possession, wishing he could take her to bed right here and now.
She broke the kiss. “Wait.”
He waited, holding her tightly, but she didn’t say another word. Two seconds later, she kissed him. Jesus, she was good at this. Her lips were smooth and soft and her tongue…damn. Warm and perfect. His hand lowered to just above the curve of her sweet behind and all rational thought left him in an almost audible sound. Nothing remained but a buzzing in his head.
Minutes later when they came up for air, he realized they were still standing in the middle of the room. Tugging on her hand, he gently led her to the couch. That movement seemed to jar Sadie and when she sat, she braced her hands on his chest, holding him back.
“I didn’t expect you,” she said. “You didn’t call.”
“I know. And I’m sorry.”
“Okay. But…but why didn’t you call?”
“Sadie, please. Can’t we just make out and forget all the talking?”
“No, we can’t.”
“I was afraid of that.”
“And…I have a date tonight.”
She might as well have thrown ice cold water on him. Why would she kiss him like this on her way to a date?
“A date?”
“Yes, you know that thing that two single people do when they want to get to know each other?”
“I know what a date is. With who?”
“You don’t know him. He’s new in town.” She cleared her throat. “But if I knew you were coming over, well, maybe I wouldn’t have accepted the date.”
This felt like a trap. If he simply professed his undying devotion to her, this imaginary date would disappear. He’d been through this game before. Playing the jealousy card? Not unfamiliar territory, but it surprised him coming from Sadie. She was one of the most grounded women he’d ever known.
“So, if I’d called first…”
“If you’d called after you kissed me, then said ‘see ya later.’ I had no idea what that meant.”
“It meant see ya later.”
“Right. How much later? Two days? Two weeks? Two years?”
“Not two years.” He scoffed. “But you know that I’m busy.”
“Take it easy, Lincoln. I’m not asking you to do anything you don’t want to do.”
“Thank you.”
“But what you seem to want to do is kiss me. A lot.”
“To be fair, I just recently discovered that I like kissing you. It was an accident.”
Her neck made a jerky movement. “Kissing me was an accident?”
Mentally, he face-palmed. He seemed to be digging himself a grave with a spoon. “No. I meant that I didn’t expect it to be so good.”
“I’m a good kisser?”
“Yeah, and if we stop talking, maybe we could do some more of that.” He took her hand, brought it to his lips, and brushed a kiss across her knuckles.
“But I have my date.” She glanced at the clock and stood. “He’ll be here soon. You should probably go.”
“You seriously have a date?”
“Of course. Why? You thought I would lie to you?”
“All right. I’ll go.” He stood, confused beyond belief.
He’d never been kicked out. He’d always been out the door before that even became an issue. Never one to outstay his welcome. But things were different in Stone Ridge. He didn’t like to get involved with women in his town. Too many other men. He liked to call the shots, not the other way around.
“You…maybe you could come back,” she said from behind him. “Later.”
He turned to face her. “What? You don’t expect the date to go well?”
“It’s a first date. I don’t really know him, or I’m not sure…” She trailed off.
“Sadie, look, it’s cool. You and I don’t have anything real going on. Just a few kisses that distracted us both. If you want to get married, well, maybe this dude could be the one. Your shot.”
“Yes.” She twisted her hands together. “Maybe.”
The doorbell rang and damn, Lincoln realized he would meet this guy. Shit fire.
“Want me to go out the back?” He winked.
“Don’t be ridiculous. We have nothing to be ashamed of.”
She opened the door to a man wearing Dockers, loafers, and a blazer. He reminded Lincoln of a sports commentator on TV. Every hair in place. Trendy glasses which gave him the appearance of intellectual superiority. He disliked him immediately.
“Hi there, Judson. You’re right on time,” Sadie said.
“I always try to be.”
Yeah, and he probably called ahead, too. Didn’t just get a sudden feeling that he wanted to see a girl he couldn’t get out of his head. Even if he did, well, he’d certainly call first.
Lincoln stuck his hand out. “How are you doin’? I’m Lincoln Carver.”
“Dr. Judson Grant,” he said.
That made sense. His hands didn’t appear to have seen a single day’s worth of fence work. But on the other hand, Lincoln would bet his ranch that this guy would give Sadie the children, security, and family she wanted. Probably without breaking a sweat.
“Lincoln stopped by and he’s on his way out,” Sadie said.
“That’s right. You two have a good night, then.”
With that, Lincoln stepped outside and ignored the uncomfortable slash of envy that snapped through him. He had no right to be jealous What’s more, he didn’t quite understand why he did. That sucker was going on a date with a woman who’d already mapped his life out for him. He’d likely have no say in the matter. She’d hook him and reel him in like today’s catch.
Lincoln drove himself to the Shady Grind for a cold beer, but he wasn’t looking forward to it.
* * *
A knot the size of Texas formed in Sadie’s stomach. She should have waited for Lincoln a few more days. If she hadn’t accepted this date with Judson, something might have changed between her and Lincoln. Granted, he was about as romantic as a turnip, but with such potential. She could feel it in the way he kissed her, making her feel both precious and breakable, but hotly desired at the same time.
But as Judson blabbed on about the strange weather in Texas (winter in the morning, summer in the afternoon), and the horsepower of his BMW, Sadie tried to talk herself into having fun on this date. She’d agreed to it, after all. It wouldn’t be fair to Judson not to be all in. At least for tonight. Then she’d see.
“Where did you go to medical school?” she asked between breaks of his lecture on BMW versus Mercedes Benz. BMW was a superior machine according to him.
“University of Maryland. Residency at Stanford. I briefly considered going into general surgery, but that meant more school. I wanted to get started on my family. I’m a general practitioner, something you don’t hear about anymore. We’re a dying breed. That’s why my aunt thought I should be a country doctor.” He cleared his throat. “Sadie, if you don’t mind my asking. Who was that guy? Lincoln? I mean, you said you’re not seeing anyone.”
“I’m not. Lincoln is...he’s just a friend. I’ve known him for a long time.”
“Great,” he said, taking her hand. “Because I don’t like having any competition.”
Boy. He was certainly new in town. She wondered if he’d heard about their town’s strange demographics. She kept quiet, unwilling to assure him he had no competition. He had a jumbo-size competition in the form of one clueless rancher.
They arrived at a French restaurant, a place so upscale that Sadie felt out of place in her best boots. But at least she didn’t have to worry about what to order because Judson did that for her. Good thing, since she didn’t know what on earth to order.
“It was a little hard to find a French eatery, but this place has five-star reviews,” Judson said. “Do you like French food?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever tried French food.”
“You’re in for a treat,” he said, and then took her hand again. “So, Sadie, how many children do you want?”
“Um…possibly three?”
“Perfect! I want three as well. Some people say two, so the children don’t outnumber the parents. Some say four so they each have a playmate. But I think three is reasonable in today’s day and age. We do have to consider overpopulation, carbon footprint, that kind of thing.”
While that made a lot of sense, Sadie couldn’t remember why she’d settled on three children. She’d hatched those dreams long ago.
“I didn’t plan for my wife working outside of the home, but a teacher is the perfect job, isn’t it? You’ll have summers off to be with our children.”
Did he say our children? Sadie sucked in a breath. Judson was coming on so strong. She removed her hand from his.
“I-I didn’t get into teaching just to have summers off.”
“I’m sure you didn’t. It’s a noble profession.”
“Um…are you planning on getting married soon?” She half expected him to drop to one knee and propose right now in which case she would have to run out of here screaming.
“Well, we’re not getting any younger, are we? And you don’t want aging eggs. That could mean complications, such as learning disabilities, if not worse.”
“I’m twenty-eight,” she said, as a gentle reminder.
She’d like to believe her eggs might still be young enough to be wearing orthodontia, thank you very much.
“And I’m thirty-five. I’m finally in a great fiscal position to make all my dreams come true. A beautiful home, wife, and children. I’ve already started college funds for the children.”
“Wow.” Sadie’s elbow started to itch. “You’re very responsible.”
“I hope that’s an attractive quality.”
She nodded because who in their right mind would disagree with that.
Her elbow began to itch in earnest. Their food came, and grateful for the distraction from the talk of college funds and fertile eggs, she took a generous bite. Then another. Judson went on and on about private school versus public school, and when he began to name their future children, Sadie thought she might rub her elbow raw.
“Are you okay?” Judson asked, suddenly aware of something other than his future family and large suburban home with a cabin in the mountains for annual ski vacations.
“I’m not sure. I’m suddenly very itchy.”
“Let me take a look.” He held her arm, turning to view the elbow. “Maybe you’re allergic to something here?”
“I think so.”
And she believed that something could be Judson Grant.
What was wrong with her? He was good looking, sweet, and almost perfect. He’d said all the right things, even if she favored public schools versus his desire for private school. Also, she refused to name a child Ace. Sure, he moved fast but she admired his honesty. Far better than someone stringing you along for years, lying the entire time.
Been there, done that.
But Lord, did she sound like this to Lincoln? She wondered why he’d even wanted to see her again. But he’d come back to her cabin when he didn’t have any reason to feel responsible for her anymore. And kissed her.
“Maybe I should just go home. Call it a night.”
A few minutes later, he drove her home, a little sulky.
“I’m just going to soak in some Epson Salt and go to bed.”
“That’s what I would prescribe.”
She couldn’t stop him from walking her to the door, grateful when he didn’t attempt a kiss. Once inside her cozy cabin, Sadie finally let her shoulders unkink and the itching eventually stopped. Until that moment, she didn’t realize how badly she wanted to get away from Judson. He’d made her nervous. Antsy. She wanted to be alone tonight. Alone with a book and a glass of wine.
When she’d gone away to study at Baylor University, none of her new girlfriends could imagine being young and single in a town in which men chased women. They’d called her “blessed” and compared Stone Ridge to Alaska. Even though life was different at Baylor, Sadie still waited for a man to ask her out first. And then she’d met Martin and thought her life would soon be complete. He’d loved her from day one, or so he said, from the moment he’d first laid eyes on her. There’d been no one else for him but her, he’d said. No one.
Martin called her darling, which no one had before (or since) then. She’d been madly in love with him, too, with his sweet Australian accent and gorgeous boyish smile. Martin was her first lover. He’d loved that, too, proudly taking her virginity and calling himself her “one and only.” The relationship lasted all four years, and Sadie expected a marriage proposal at the end of it. Martin wanted her to visit his Mum in Australia after graduation. They’d made plans.
But instead, just before graduation day, one of her friends asked for Sadie’s forgiveness. They might never see each other again and she couldn’t keep this on her conscience. She confessed that she’d slept with Martin numerous times and deeply regretted the betrayal. And she wasn’t the only one. Turned out he’d also slept with some of her other friends. Once, with her roommate. Because sweet Martin loved women…a little too much. And that Australian accent, in the middle of Texas? A walking aphrodisiac to women.
When she’d confronted him, he’d almost expected her forgiveness. They could still make this relationship work. He loved her and wanted to get married. He hoped that she would overlook four years of cheating. Because, somehow, Sadie gave him the mistaken idea that she loved him so much he could do no wrong. That she was so sweet, so kind, she would naturally forgive him.
Martin, like so many others before and since, mistook her kindness for weakness. Worse, friends hid the ugly truth from her. Heart shattered, Sadie broke up with Martin. Though they’d always been beyond careful, she had herself checked, and discovered he’d never given her anything physically permanent, except a guarded heart.
In Stone Ridge, she felt precious and wanted. The men of Stone Ridge did not cheat on their women. It only took a rumor of a man cheating, and another would be lined up ready to take his place.
Love remained such a mystery to Sadie. How it happened, and what caused that attraction to simmer.
From the age of sixteen, she’d thought Lincoln Carver the most incredible boy she’d ever seen in her life. Abandoned by his mother, he took care of his family, and worked hard. He was kind to everyone, with a genuine smile, and honest eyes. But until the concussion fiasco, she’d never actually bee
n alone with Lincoln.
But now it seemed that Lincoln Carver wasn’t at all interested in chasing any women. Some even chased him. Except for Sadie.
She might if she could. But she didn’t know how.
Remembering her students’ homework, Sadie spent a night alone on her couch grading papers.
Chapter 9
It took one day for Sadie to figure out that Judson reminded her of someone very dear and special in her life.
Her mother.
All that over the top organization to detail and planning. It made Wanda Stephens a terrific businesswoman, but as a wife and mother, she’d been slightly…neurotic. It wasn’t until Sadie came face to face with someone with strict and definitive plans for the rest of their life that she realized what she must have sounded like to the men she’d dated post-Martin.
It wasn’t just the fear of being tricked again by another smooth talker, but the pressure she occasionally felt from her mother. Even with a working plan for her life, while away at college, Sadie learned to believe in flexibility. To accept that “the plan” could occasionally be adapted. She hadn’t planned to still be single at twenty-eight, but so what? No big deal. It didn’t mean she’d die alone. Eve was single, too, and not worried about it.
The most important thing in any plan was to move forward, continually improving, shifting where needed, and finding new interests and ways of accomplishing goals. She’d decided not to date anyone seriously since graduating from college. But returning home meant back-sliding into her mother’s pre-conceived notions. Sadie should be married now, or well on the way. It sometimes seemed as if Mom took this as a personal affront. As if this meant Sadie rejected everything she’d been taught to believe.
The Friday after her parents returned from their cruise, they invited Sadie and Beau over for dinner. Years ago, her father built the family’s ranch-style home on five acres. Though they didn’t have a working farm, he’d planted a small micro vineyard he wanted to work full time after retirement. For now, it remained his hobby. He often wore a pair of old-fashioned blue coveralls covered in grape stains and occasionally could be found wandering the rows of grapes, muttering to himself. Sadie found this adorable.
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